The world kidney day is a day set aside worldwide to sensitize and raise awareness on the kidney diseases which is now becoming rampant in our society. The theme 2017 world kidney day is “kidney disease and obesity, healthy lifestyle for healthy kidney”. The sensitization and awareness programme to commemorate the day was organized by a non-governmental organization, Worthy Life Education and Health Foundation (WLEHF) at the premises of St. Joseph Centenary College in Ilorin.
The participants included students from various schools in Ilorin, health workers and professionals, government officials, individuals, the general public.
The programme started at 10am, with fitness walk by all the participants and was followed by a seminar that began with opening prayers and recognition of the invited guests and school pupils.
The Executive Director, Worthy Life Foundation, Mrs. Abayomi R. O. delivered her welcome address, pointing out that 2017 world kidney awareness is part of the effort to sensitize the public on the disease and the preventive measures. According to her, about 1 in 10 adults is affected by some degree of kidney damage in Nigeria, that means over 40 million people are affected by the disease. She drew the attention of the audience to the close relationship between kidney disease and obesity and advised the participants to check their weight. Every participant was freely examined for obesity.
Nephrology consultants, Dr. Segun Agboola and Dr. Timothy Olanrewaju gave professional and educative talks on kidney disease and obesity which was followed by questions and answers session.
The NOA Director, Mr. Olusegun Adeyemi, ably represented by the Head of Programmes Department of the Agency Mr. Ige F. Lucas commended the effort of the organizers of the programme and encouraged the participants to take the programme serious and get the best out of it since, health they say is wealth. He also called for public supports for WLEHF to enable them perform better.